COLUMBUS - There will be more than the usual firsts for Ohio's first-year teachers this year. Teachers beginning their careers this fall must now pass a high-stakes test of classroom performance and participate in a mentoring program to ease the transition from college.

        The state's 5,000 new teachers are the first licensed under revamped state teaching standards, which include new requirements to move from a two-year probationary license to a professional one.

        “The goal of all this, of course, is improving teacher quality and ultimately student achievement,” said Marilyn Troyer, associate superintendent for the Ohio Department of Education's Center for the Teaching Profession.

        The state in 1992 began changing the way it licenses teachers. A 34-member committee reviewed the standards and recommended, among other things, an intensive entry-year program for new teachers.

        In 2000, Ohio became the first state to require all new kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers - starting with college graduates of spring 2002 - to pass a performance test called Praxis III to continue teaching.

        Under it, evaluators observe teachers in classrooms, interview them and analyze lesson plans. Teachers must get 38 out of 57 possible points to pass the test, and have two years to do so.

        Those who can't pass after multiple attempts must return to college or leave the profession.

        “There will be some who will be weeded out though this process,” Ms. Troyer said. “However, the main idea is, let's give new teachers support now and help them be the strongest teachers they can be to set the tone for their career.”

        Lindsey Barth, a first-year math teacher at Fostoria High School in northwest Ohio, said having a mentor has made her first weeks go smoothly and has eased her anxiety about taking Praxis III.

        “The way I look at it is if you don't pass Praxis III, maybe there's a reason,” Ms. Barth said.

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